USA, New York State

The Board of the Town of Brookhaven (Long Island, NY) has passed two key resolutions to switch trash trucks to natural gas.  One resolution awards 13 'NGV only' contracts to private trash haulers for the collection of refuse, recyclables and yard waste for their 35 collection bid areas (CBAs).  The second resolution awards a contract to Clean Energy to construct a CNG fuelling station at the Yaphank landfill, and provides a pricing agreement for a seven-year period.   The new contracts will take effect on January 1, 2009.

Italy, Rome

Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs) will feature among the alternative fuel exhibits at the new Fiera di Roma "MotechEco" between 22 and 25 May under the theme of sustainable mobility. Fiat Group will be show the Panda MultiEco, Mercedes-Benz will present the Italian public with a preview of the new B 170 NGT Blue Efficiency.

USA, Michigan

Sterling Trucks of Redford, Michigan has launched a new Sterling® Set-Back 113, its first natural gas vehicle, featuring the Cummins Westport ISL G engine. The Cummins Westport ISL G, an 8.9 liter stoichiometric cooled-exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) engine, offers low emissions without sacrificing performance and efficiency. “By introducing the Set-Back 113 with natural gas, we’re giving our customers a hard-working truck that reduces both costs and environmental emissions,” noted Richard Shearing, Manager of Product Strategy for Sterling Truck Corporation.  "The Sterling natural gas trucks will provide a clean, low emission solution for medium-duty applications in short-haul, port operations, as well as natural gas utilities and municipal fleets", added Guan Saw, President of CWI. 

USA, Houston

Although technical and economic obstacles have yet to be resolved, methane hydrates production feasibility could be demonstrated on a commercial scale by 2020, and commercial production might get underway by 2025 according to a report coming out of the Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston on May 8. The US Geological Survey's Energy Resources Program has said the world's gas hydrates accumulations exceed the volume of known conventional gas resources. It's estimated the US gas hydrates resources could total 200,000 tcf of gas in place and that world hydrates resources could total about 700,000 tcf of gas in place. In the US this year, a gas hydrates joint industry project (JIP), working in cooperation with government agencies, is expected to drill three deepwater wells in the Gulf of Mexico.

Fiat is reportedly planning on introducing a natural gas-fuelled version of its Palio compact in the Indian market in 2009. Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a popular fuel in India, especially for buses. There are also ongoing experiments  with using Hythane, a blend of 20 percent hydrogen gas along with the natural gas. The Palio hatchback is already available with both petrol and diesel engines in India. 

Feedback Invited by May 21

New NGV amendments to existing regulations are under discussion within the United Nations.  Changes in these regulations are very important to the industry since they provide a legal basis for natural gas vehicle equipment and related equipment manufacturers as well as for retrofitting vehicles to run on natural gas (and LPG).  Many countries who have signed various UN treaties are legally bound to abide by these regulations.  The regulations also frequently serve as models for countries developing their own regulations even if they are not part of the UN conventions.  It is important, therefore, that equipment manufacturers keep a close watch on the regulatory activities at the UN and provide comments back to the IANGV to enable the association to provide the best possible representation of the industry’s interests.

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Conference and Exhibition
SulAmerica Convention Center, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
June 3-5 2008

The world faces a scenario of frequent oil price increases, debates about global warming and discussions about biofuels causing food shortages. In the midst of it all, natural gas vehicles (NGVs) sit as a compelling alternative to reduce oil demand, improve energy security, and provide better environmental conditions and cleaner cities. NGV 2008, the 11th IANGV Conference and Exhibition, to be held in Rio de Janeiro from June 3rd – 6th, will bring together stakeholders from around the world to further the case for NGVs. This important event will be held at the new SulAmerica Convention Center, located at Cidade Nova, 1 km from Rio downtown area.

Germany, Munich 

Natural gas vehicles (NGVs) and biomethane as a fuel are proving to be a prominent drawcard at the 15th  International Trade Fair for Water, Sewage, Refuse and Recycling (IFAT), currently underway in Munich. The fair features a world premiere showing of Dutch built Ravo street sweepers. The Ravo is powered by an Iveco natural gas engine, producing 136 hp and carrying a 2.9 tonne payload. On board fuel storage of 65 kgs provides enough fuel for an 8 hour shift without refueling. Also featured at IFAT were natural gas powered trucks and vans from Iveco and MercedesBenz.

Australia, Perth

Eden Energy, parent company of US based Hythane Company, is taking a bullish view of the Indian market, projecting growth of 1170% in the sales of hythane fueled buses over the coming 4 years. Their confidence is based on recent initiatives undertaken by the Indian Government, including a plan to use natural gas as a major vehicle and power generation fuel.

USA, Seal Beach CA

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has been awarded a contract to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the City of Fresno, California municipal refuse fleet for up to five years, expanding a fueling relationship begun in 2004. The Fresno municipal refuse fleet now comprises 80 natural gas trucks and the city has ordered 22 additional natural gas trucks, making it the largest municipal liquefied natural gas refuse fleet in California's Central valley and second largest in California. Fresno is the 6th largest city in California.

USA, Pasadena CA

CALSTART has announced the winners of its Blue Sky Award™ 2008 with natural gas vehicle proponents again featuring strongly. The annual awards recognize outstanding marketplace contributions to clean air, energy efficiency and to the clean transportation industry overall by companies, organizations and individuals. Among the Blue Sky Award™ 2008 winners are:

• Business Region Goteborg of Sweden, won the Charles R. Imbrecht Blue Sky Innovation Award™ for catalyzing Sweden’s use of biomethane as a renewable transportation fuel now powering 4,500 natural gas cars, trucks and buses and a commuter train.

• Southern Counties Express, Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif., won a Blue Sky Merit Award™ for buying a fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) port trucks and operating an LNG fueling station that is publicly available to the port trucking community.

(Further information) 

China, Beijing

Sinoenergy Corporation has announced the opening of a new retail compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station and completion of construction of another new retail CNG filling station. The newly opened retail CNG filling station, Jianxilu Station, is located in the city of Ping Ding Shan, Henan Province. It began to sell CNG for use in CNG powered vehicles late last month. Jianxilu Station is the first CNG filling station in Ping Ding Shan. The newly constructed Dawulu Station, also in Ping Ding Shan, is undergoing final equipment testing and is expected to commence operations later this month.

China, Chaoyang City

Chaoyang City's (Liaoning Province) transportation management department has recently held an introductory forum with the intention of accelerating natural gas vehicle use in the city.  Two compressed natural gas (CNG) stations have recently been put into service in the city. This number will double by 2010 by which time 3000 CNG taxis and buses are expected to be on the cities roads. 

USA, Los Altos CA

Baytech Corporation has received 2008 EPA and CARB certifications for their compressed natural gas (CNG) and propane fueled GM 8.1L and 6.0L heavy-duty engines. The heavy-duty engines, now available for new 2008 and 2009 model year vehicles, are offered in both dedicated CNG or propane and dual fuel (CNG or gasoline and propane or gasoline) configurations in all 50 US states.

USA, Livermore CA

Waste Management Inc. and Linde North America have agreed to work together to build a facility that will convert landfill gas into liquified natural gas at the Altamont landfill. The $15.5 million joint venture will receive grant assistance from the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the California Air Resources Board and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The Houston based solid waste company said the facility is expected to produce up to 13,000 gallons of liquified natural gas a day when it begins operations in 2009. 

USA, San Francisco

San Francisco's new city Green Taxi mandate has been boosted by a new contract with Clean Energy Fuels Corp. to supply compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel and provide operations and maintenance for the CNG fueling station located near the base of the Golden Gate Bridge in the Presidio.  The station currently provides fuel for shuttle buses serving residents of and tourists at the Presidio, adjacent to the city's Marina District.  The agreement calls for opening the station to full public use by taxis and shuttles serving the City of San Francisco. 

USA, Los Angeles

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will be buying up to 260 new high-capacity buses that run on cleaner-burning compressed natural gas (CNG). The Metro Board has approved the purchase of the CNG buses including spare parts, diagnostic equipment, training aids and modifications for a contract value of almost $175 million, inclusive of sales tax, and subject to completion of the required Buy America Pre-Award audit. They will be purchased from North American Bus Industries.

Peru, Lima

Californian-based Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has opened what could be the world's largest public compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station in Lima, Peru. The new station marks Clean Energy's first operations outside North America. Owned and operated by Clean Energy del Peru, a joint venture (JV) between Clean Energy and Energy Gas del Peru, the station is strategically located midway between downtown Lima, Peru's capital city, and the Lima International Airport. With thousands of taxis being converted to CNG each month and thousands of buses targeted for replacement with natural gas buses, this is the first of several fueling stations the JV anticipates constructing to support the expanding CNG vehicle and bus population in Peru. 

Australia, Perth

The Australian Government has approved a 'Commercial Ready Plus Grant' to assist Advanced Engine Components (AEC) Limited develop natural gas (NG) engine and vehicle technology for the Isuzu 295 and 510hp engines. AEC’s current development programme will enable the 295 and 510hp Isuzu vehicle operators to convert their diesel engines to CNG or LNG engines through the incorporation of AEC’s NGVS. Once converted, vehicles operating on NG will comply with Euro 4 emission standards (required under new legislation effective 1 January 2008) and maintain the same performance as the diesel equivalent.

The role of the earlier European Natural Gas Vehicle Association (ENGVA), based in the Netherlands, has from the start of 2008 been taken over by the new NGVA Europe, based in Spain. Many of the previous ENGVA members are now joining the new Association, but also other new members. Although we have been active already since the start of 2008, the official registration of the new Association, and its bylaws, could not be completed until late April 2008.